ROVERS FALL TO RIVALS
THE TOADS have taken another leap towards the one-day final in a 107-run win over their nearest rivals to lay down the gauntlet to all challengers.
Mulgrave opener Justin Reid was again at his best on Saturday with 88, giving his teammates the platform for a late flurry to reach 188 at Endeavour Park on Saturday.
Toads skipper Jacob Stanton paid tribute to the in-form Reid and the tight spells from opening bowlers Wade Matthews and Blake Raper to force Rovers to go for broke.
“Obviously Reidy’s innings was a really good innings and he probably got a bit unlucky the way he got out,” he said.
“Wade and Blake have bowled really well all year and just build that pressure from the start. In the one-dayers, obviously that’s really important.”
Stanton said he couldn’t think of a reason why the Toads were seemingly a class above the competition. With three one-dayers remaining, Mulgrave need just one win to seal top spot and are 25 points in front on the overall ladder.
Rovers’ stand-in skipper Rhys Camilleri said senior players could have done more to build their innings and give his side a chance.
“It was one of those days no one really fired for us,” he said.
“They had a good start with the ball and put us under pressure real early, and we were on the back foot after losing two early wickets.
“They did give themselves a good total to defend but if we batted well I reckon we could have given them a run for their money.”